Education Sessions
FREE Education Session included with every school visit and 20% discount hot drink voucher for every teacher.
Our really wild lessons are curriculum linked and tailor made with your class in mind.
Detailed below are the exciting range of education sessions that we offer. If you would like us to create a session that better suits your needs then please do not hesitate to contact the education department via e mail (zoo.school@blackpoolzoo.org.uk) or telephone 01253 830805.
Don't forget these sessions are also available through our Zoo-To-You programme. We can bring our expertise and resources to your classroom.
EXPLORER TOURS
Children can become explorers for the day, learning all about rainforests, savannahs and deserts in our exciting habitat tours.
ANIMAL HANDLING (1/2 hour) SUITABLE FOR AGE 3 and ABOVE:
This is our most popular session which includes the handling of a variety of exotic animals including; stick insects, cockroaches, snails, lizards and snakes.
NURSERY (age 3-5)
Monkeying around (1/2 hour):
An interactive session where pupils learn about the sounds and movements animals make.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 1b.
Interactive Story Time (1/2 hour):
This session tells a short story taking pupils on an imaginary journey. Pupils meet a variety of animals and have the opportunity to touch them. The session incorporates live animals and our extensive range of animal artefacts.
KEY STAGE 1 (age 5-7)
Colour and pattern (1/2 hour):
An interactive session which explores the variety of colours and patterns that are present in nature and the various ways in which animals make use of them.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 5b.
KEY STAGE 1 and KEY STAGE 2 (age 4 - 11)
Habitats (1 hour):
Pupils learn about four major habitat types found on planet earth (polar, desert, rainforest,savannah). Pupils will also learn which animals are found within the different habitats and how they are adapted to life there. The session is interactive and involves live animals and our extensive range of artefacts.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 5b, 5c.
Lifecycles (1 hour):
This session looks at the lifecycles of an invertebrate, amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal. The session is interactive and includes live animals and artefacts.
Rainforests (1 hour)
An interactive session that includes a general backgroud to life in the rainforest. It includes the climate, rainforest layers and the animals that live in each of those layers. This session is also available as a Rainforest Tour which includes a visit to our rainforest zoo animals and Amazonia exhibit.
KEY STAGE 2 (age 7-11)
Endangered Species (1 hour)
This session examines the threats facing animals in their natural habitat and what we can do to make a difference. The session makes full use of our extensive range of animal artefacts.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 5a, 5b, 5c
Senses (1 hour):
Pupils learn about the various ways in which organisms perceive their external environment. Various games are used to compare our own senses to those of different animals. Live animals and artefacts are integrated into the session to give pupils the opportunity to observe animal senses first hand.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 5b, 5c.
Teeth and Diet (1 hour):
This session focuses on how different teeth are suited to different diets. Pupils learn about the dentition of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores by examining skulls and live animals.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 2a, 2b.
Nocturnal animals (1 hour):
This session examines the various ways in which animals are adapted to life in the dark. Aspects covered include a variety of case studies focusing on the diversity of senses used by nocturnal animals.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 5b, 5c.Key stage 3 and 4 (age 11+)
Adaptations (1 hour):
Pupils learn how different animals are suited to where they live. The session looks at differences between males and females, young and adults and seasonal changes. An interactive session it includes live animals and artefacts.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 4a, 5c.
Dinosaurs (1 hour):
This session provides a basic overview of dinosaurs across the Mesozoic era. We use a wide range of live animals and artefacts to provide a unique perspective. We also have a Dinosaur Safari within the zoo which brings this era to life!
FURTHER EDUCATION
We offer a wide range of sessions for students in further education such as
Zoo management and licensing
Science in the workplace
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Zoos and conservation -
Primate evolution - Classification and genetics
- Animal behaviour
- Travel, tourism and marketing
- ZOO TOURS - ALL AGES
Big Animal Safari (1 hour):
A tour of the largest animals found in Blackpool Zoo looking at where they live, what they eat and other interesting facts.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 1a, 1c, 2b, 2e, 5b, 5c.
Children’s Zoo Feed (1/2 hour, Age 5+):
Children will have a chance to feed our farm animals whilst learning how to care for them.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 2e.
Rainforest Tour (1 hour):
This tour begins with an introduction to the rainforest visiting some of our rainforest animals. The tour ends in Amazonia, our rainforest exhibit.
National Curriculum links: Sc2 Life Processes and living things; 1c, 5b, 5c. Geography, knowledge skills and understanding; 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 5a, 5b.
PLEASE NOTE: Sessions are limited to one session per 35 students in your group. We advise you to book early as our sessions are very popular with visiting groups.
